Arthritis is the term use to describe inflammation in the joints. The major symptoms are stiffness and joint pain and they get worse as one becomes older. Treatment mode chosen will be dependent on the type of condition. The various forms of treatment are aimed at minimizing symptoms and enabling those affected to lead better lives. When considering arthritis pain relief Toledo residents have many options to consider.
There are times when one may have to try a number of treatment options or combinations of methods to get the best results. The use of medications is common and there are many drugs in use. Analgesics are prescribed to reduce ache but never deal with the inflammation. To achieve pain and inflammation relief, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs, are used. Some drugs in this category are only gotten through prescription. The oral NSAIDs bring about stomach irritation or increase the risk of stroke. The drugs are also available as creams and gels.
Counter-irritants are the creams and ointments that contain menthol or capsaicin. The latter is the ingredient that makes hot pepper spicy. When these preparations are rubbed on the skin, they will interfere with pain signal transmission from the joints. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs are used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. They stop the immune system from attacking the joints.
For some conditions, physical therapy will help. By doing exercises, there will be improvement of the range of motion and also strengthening of muscles that surround the joints. There are instances in which splints and braces have to be used. In the event that conservative measures are not effective, surgery may be suggested. There are two forms of surgery that can be used.
With joint replacement, the joints that are damaged are removed and replaced with artificial ones. The joints that are most commonly removed and replaced are knees and hips. In the case of joints that are smaller, fusion is used. Smaller joints include those in the ankle, wrists and fingers. Lifestyle and home remedies are also options. Loss weight for instance would help those that are obese to lose weight and thus reduce stress on joints holding their weight. This will increase mobility and limit future joint injury.
Through regular exercising, the joints will be kept flexible. The best exercises are swimming and water aerobics. These are good exercises because the up-thrust force of water reduces joint stress. The use of heating pads and ice packs also reduces pain. There are persons that also consider the use of assistive devices like walkers, raised toilets seats and canes.
People use alternative medicine but their credibility is yet to be ascertained. One of these is acupuncture. It involves the use of fine needles that are inserted at specific points on the skin. This is done for the sake of reducing pain.
Also effective is the use of yoga and massage. Yoga involves slow and stretching movements that enhance how flexible the joints are and improve movement. Massage on the other hand improves blood flow. Affected joints are warmed and thus pain is relieved for some time. Therapists should know the affected joints prior to massage.
There are times when one may have to try a number of treatment options or combinations of methods to get the best results. The use of medications is common and there are many drugs in use. Analgesics are prescribed to reduce ache but never deal with the inflammation. To achieve pain and inflammation relief, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs, are used. Some drugs in this category are only gotten through prescription. The oral NSAIDs bring about stomach irritation or increase the risk of stroke. The drugs are also available as creams and gels.
Counter-irritants are the creams and ointments that contain menthol or capsaicin. The latter is the ingredient that makes hot pepper spicy. When these preparations are rubbed on the skin, they will interfere with pain signal transmission from the joints. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs are used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. They stop the immune system from attacking the joints.
For some conditions, physical therapy will help. By doing exercises, there will be improvement of the range of motion and also strengthening of muscles that surround the joints. There are instances in which splints and braces have to be used. In the event that conservative measures are not effective, surgery may be suggested. There are two forms of surgery that can be used.
With joint replacement, the joints that are damaged are removed and replaced with artificial ones. The joints that are most commonly removed and replaced are knees and hips. In the case of joints that are smaller, fusion is used. Smaller joints include those in the ankle, wrists and fingers. Lifestyle and home remedies are also options. Loss weight for instance would help those that are obese to lose weight and thus reduce stress on joints holding their weight. This will increase mobility and limit future joint injury.
Through regular exercising, the joints will be kept flexible. The best exercises are swimming and water aerobics. These are good exercises because the up-thrust force of water reduces joint stress. The use of heating pads and ice packs also reduces pain. There are persons that also consider the use of assistive devices like walkers, raised toilets seats and canes.
People use alternative medicine but their credibility is yet to be ascertained. One of these is acupuncture. It involves the use of fine needles that are inserted at specific points on the skin. This is done for the sake of reducing pain.
Also effective is the use of yoga and massage. Yoga involves slow and stretching movements that enhance how flexible the joints are and improve movement. Massage on the other hand improves blood flow. Affected joints are warmed and thus pain is relieved for some time. Therapists should know the affected joints prior to massage.
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